Bush asks UN to lean on N. Korea

WASHINGTON -- President Bush yesterday called on the United Nations to send a clear message of disapproval to North Korea in the wake of this week's missile tests, asserting his faith in a diplomatic solution to the foreign policy crisis despite his frustration with the pace of international negotiations.

In a news conference in Chicago, Bush said the diplomatic process can be ``slow and cumbersome" and ``painful in a way for some to watch," but he believes that diplomacy will resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear weapons capabilities. The president added that he has confidence in the UN Security Council and in multiple-nations talks with North Korea.

``What matters most of all is for [North Korean President] Kim Jong Il to see the world speak with one voice," Bush said at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. ``What I believe is we can solve the problem diplomatically."

Despite his frustrations over the process, Bush's comments signaled a patient approach toward North Korea, a nation he famously placed alongside Iraq and Iran in the ``axis of evil."

``We've created a framework that will be successful," he said. ``It takes time to get things done."

Pressed repeatedly on why he pushed to topple Saddam Hussein in Iraq but is hesitant to even discuss the use of force against North Korea, Bush deflected the questions, insisting that diplomacy remains the first option.

Asked whether the US military, stretched by simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, could sustain a third conflict with North Korea, Bush said he wouldn't answer hypothetical questions. A few minutes later, he questioned a reporter's assertion that North Korea -- which tested medium- and long-range missiles earlier this week -- has increased its nuclear arsenal.

``I don't think we know that," Bush said .

Earlier this week, North Korea fired seven missiles, all of which fell harmlessly into the sea, in defiance of international warnings and despite a self-imposed moratorium on the testing of long-range missiles. One of the missiles was thought to be capable of reaching the west coast of the United States.

Washington is pushing the UN Security Council for quick condemnation of the tests, but China and Russia -- two permanent members of the council -- are resisting sanctions against North Korea. China and Russia have not said whether they will veto any action .

On another issue with national security implications, Bush said he drew no broader implications from last week's Supreme Court ruling striking down the military commissions he ordered to try detainees held in the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Although the high court ruled that Bush had overstepped his authority, the president quickly noted that the court was silent on the question of whether Guantanamo is an appropriate place to hold suspected terrorists.

``The Supreme Court said that in this particular case, when it comes to dealing with illegal combatants who were picked up off a battlefield and put in Guantanamo for the sake of our security, that we should work with the United States Congress to develop a way forward," Bush said. ``They accepted the use of Guantanamo, the decision I made."

Bush used the news conference to push for his top domestic priority this year: comprehensive immigration reform. The House and Senate have passed vastly different immigration bills, and Bush restated his support for the Senate approach, which pairs new border-enforcement mechanisms with a guest-worker program and a path to citizenship for most of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants now in the United States.

``In order to enforce this border, we've got to have a rational way that recognizes there are people sneaking across to do work Americans aren't doing," Bush said.

The president also said he is certain that Republicans will retain control of the House and Senate this fall. He laughed when asked whether he would stay away from the campaign trail because of his dismal approval ratings.

``That's up to the candidates to decide," Bush said. He noted that he is still a draw at Republican fund-raisers -- including a $500-a-plate gubernatorial candidate luncheon he attended in downtown Chicago just a few hours after the news conference.

``You win elections by believing something," Bush said in a swipe at Democrats. ``You win elections by having a plan to protect the American people from terrorist attacks. You win elections by having a philosophy that has actually produced results."

Yesterday's news conference was atypical for its location: In the past, Bush has favored the White House for full-scale, question-and-answer sessions with reporters. The location is part of a new strategy to have the president interact more with local reporters -- and make a bigger media splash in the towns he visits outside of Washington.

``I like to see what it's like to have a major press conference outside of Washington," said Bush, who stood in front of a giant banner featuring the Chicago skyline.